MARBLE FALLS — School district campuses here could save millions of dollars in the next decade thanks to a program promising more efficient energy management, according to a national company.
MARBLE FALLS — A mattress fire doused before it could lead to heavy damages at an apartment remains under investigation.
Marble Falls firefighters responded to a blaze at the Sunset Apartments in the 1600 block of Ninth Street April 13 about 9 p.m. Officials say several mattresses stacked alongside the building caught on fire, sending flames into the eave of the building. Crews were able to extinguish the blaze before it caused extensive damage. Photo courtesy of Marble Falls Fire Rescue
HORSESHOE BAY — An alliance of merchants is asking local officials to see the writing on the wall by changing restrictions that make business signs too small and indistinguishable, members say.
Most of the rules date back 30 years or more, when Horseshoe Bay was a lakeside resort and golf community, not a city busy with traffic on FM 2147, the main thoroughfare.
"All we’re asking for is an equal playing field where people who do business here can be recognized by the people driving by in a tasteful way," said Chris Sanders, owner of The Tall Texan, a restaurant.
Sanders and other members of the Horseshoe Bay Business Alliance met March 30 to discuss the sign restrictions, which they say make their shops virtually invisible to motorists.
The regulations allowed by the city and Architectural Control Committee keep businesses limited to only a few designs, colors and set up, they said.
Sanders just wants potential customers to know his restaurant is there, he said.
"Our frontage is our biggest asset and we’re unable to use that asset," he added.
Mayor Bill Lambert urged the members to continue offering their input.
"Get together and make some real live written recommendations on how you think they ought to be changed," he said. "I can’t guarantee anything after that, but I think that’s the way to proceed if you’re not happy with the sign situation."
The Architectural Control Committee was set up by one of the original Horseshoe Bay Resort developers and is separate from the city.
Alliance members gathered at A Taste of Thyme in the 7400 block of 2147 said they have asked the city and committee to consider changing the sign rules.
The city recently gave the alliance a glimmer of hope by suggesting city officials will review recommendations to the sign rules and also submit them to the Architectural Control Committee.
The city ordinances and deed restrictions regarding signs date back to the 1970s; officials said the last revisions occurred in 1985.
Alliance member Francie Dix said she understands the intent of the original developers to maintain a certain atmosphere and appearance. But holding businesses to a standard set in the 1970s may be a bit outdated, she said.
"What worked well in the ’70s may need to be revisited now to see if there are some adjustments or changes to bring us back in 30 years later and what the community needs, what the residents need and what the businesses need in order to maintain and even improve the quality of life here," she said.
Drew Crosby, an alliance member and manager of the local New York Life branch, said the alliance’s goal is to assist and promote businesses.
One issue is the sometimes different rules for signs under the city and the architectural committee.
"The architectural committee’s rules seem to be a little more stricter with their guidelines on colors and phone numbers," Crosby said. "Basically what we’d be looking at or asking for is the architectural committee and the city to have the same kind of guidelines so we could get a common, uniform set of directions for a common look throughout Horseshoe Bay."
Sanders said inconsistencies include some businesses with signs that have a splash of color, while others aren’t allowed to do that.
Dre Wall (left), Cooper Wilson and Cody Wilson won the 10-and-under division of the 3-on-3 tournament sponsored by the city of Marble Falls during Spring Break on March 17 at Lakeside Park. The trio, who called themselves the Texas Longhorns, went 3-1 in the event. The prizes were a large pizza from Pizza Hut and one movie ticket to each player. Courtesy photo
LLANO — A 15-year-old boy was moved to a San Antonio hospital March 28 after suffering smoke inhalation during a house fire the day before, officials said.
Police Department officers and the Llano Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze at 1409 Walnut St. at 3:16 a.m. March 27, Police Chief James Schilling said.
HORSESHOE BAY — City Council voted to again seek bids on a new bridge for Bay West Boulevard, after an earlier deal collapsed because the price kept rising.
The council wants the next design to include the original arch but also a standard structure for the bridge, which spans a high-water area.
"I think there are substantial savings if you do a standard bridge," said Charlie Fowler of Bury+Partners, an engineering firm assisting the city in the project.
He spoke during the council’s regular meeting March 22.
The original design called for an arch-supported structure.
When officials opened bids in October, the lowest came in at $710,104 from Austin Bridge and Road, according to officials.
The council at the time voted to accept the bid, but with a specific change order to bring the cost down to $650,000.
But in December when the bid was resubmitted, the cost with the change order actually jumped to $875,000.
The council voted to reject the bid.
A standard structure would meet all the city’s needs, yet at a lower cost, Fowler said.
"I’m suggesting a six-figure number less than ($650,000)," he said.
The council asked Fowler to help design a second plan with the standard structure, as well as handle the bidding process.
Mayor Bob Lambert said he would like the city to offer both designs for the bidding.
More contractors would likely show interest in the project if it’s a standard bridge, which is basically a pre-formed structure set across the waterway, Fowler said.
In other business the council also took steps to improve Martin Park, which is adjacent to City Hall, No. 1 Community Drive.
Lacey Smith, the park’s committee secretary, told the council they felt the best choice was Game Time after reviewing several companies’ products and prices.
The plan calls for replacing the current playground equipment including slides and swings.
"The current equipment is not up to standards," she said.
The plan includes two areas, each geared to children of different ages.
The city has budgeted $50,000 this year for improving Martin Park, though the project could prove more expensive, Lambert said.
The council members voiced their support for the improvements, but asked the committee and city staff to work more with Game Time on the cost and fencing.
MARBLE FALLS — A squirrel chewed through a cable, cutting off television, phone and Internet service to more than 500 customers in the Pecan Valley area and neighboring Meadowlakes Friday.
Even worse, sports fans couldn’t watch some of their favorite games during march Madness NCAA basketball coverage, officials said.
Service was down from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., said Stacy Bryant of Northland Communications Inc.
"The squirrel apparently chewed through a fiber optic cable outside of Meadowlakes," she said.
Along with cable television, the squirrel knocked out high-speed Internet and phone services.
The local office of the Seattle-based company, which offers cable service to Marble Falls and the surrounding area, received a lot of phone calls about the issue, Bryant said.
"The (Texas) Longhorns basketball team played that morning, so we heard about it," she said.
Ellie Whittle holds up the body of her soon-to-be green caterpillar at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 S. Main St. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break, library staff invited children to create caterpillars from hosiery, dirt, seeds and water. The children tied off the stockings as they poured dirt mixed with seeds into the material. With some water and time, the seeds will sprout, creating a little green caterpillar. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
Mason Neill, wearing St. Patrick’s Day green, grabs a handful of dirt for his ‘caterpillar’ March 17 at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 S. Main St. Children came to the library to create a ‘green caterpillar’ made from hosiery, dirt and seeds. They poured dirt containing grass seed into a long stocking and tied it off in sections. Then they doused their creation in water for several minutes. In a few days, the seeds will sprout, creating a grassy caterpillar. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
Kris Neill (left) helps her son Mason Neill make a caterpillar from dirt, seed and a stocking March 17 at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 S. Main St. In conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break, the library invited youth (and parents) to create a caterpillar from a few items. With a little water and some time, the seeds should sprout into a green caterpillar. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
MARBLE FALLS — The chances for two proposed emergency services districts to appear on the ballot during the May 14 election appear to be all but officially doomed.
At least one department — the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department — said its very survival may hinge on the eventual passage of an ESD, a political subdivision that collects property taxes to fund fire and paramedic services.